Golden Temple: 1 lakh footfall a day, but no mechanism to screen visitors
AMRITSAR: With at least 29 coronavirus patients in the country, and the number rising by the hour, there are no precautions or preparations in place at the Golden Temple, which sees daily footfall of tourists, both domestic and international, of around 1 lakh. The footfall surges to 1.25 lakh on weekends. There has been no reduction in the rush.
“It is the primary duty of the health department to take precautionary measures against the outbreak of any epidemic. The department should deploy a team of doctors for regular screening of patients suspected to be suffering from the disease. Another team of the health department should also be deployed to create awareness on the symptoms and precautions,” said Dr Roop Singh, chief secretary, SGPC.
District epidemiologist officer Madan Mohan said they have decided to deploy a team of doctors outside the Golden Temple from Thursday.
“We are also deploying teams outside the Durgiana Temple and the Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal from Thursday,” he said, adding, “Our teams are already working round-theclock at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee
International Airport and the Attari-Wagah border. We are scanning more than 1,000 people daily at the airport and border.”
Civil surgeon Dr Prabhdeep Kaur Johal said the “flu corner” that will be set up outside the Golden Temple will give access to visitors to get themselves tested voluntarily. “For this, we will spread awareness among devotees,” she added.